Packaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Envelope-type packages are detached from a packaging machine and deposited in overlapped relation in longitudinally distinct groups each containing the same number of packages on a continuously moving conveyor belt. Group separation is accomplished by periodic cam actuated displacement of the conveyor belt so that a package deposited upon the belt after a group of a predetermined number have been deposited in overlap will lie on the belt in definite spacial relation to that group and will be the leading package of the next group. The cam speed may be varied to select the number of packages in a group.

United States Patent Clancy 1 May9,1972

[54] PACKAGING APPARATUS [72] lnventor: David Clancy, Canaan, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York,

221 Filed: May 28,1970

211 Appl.No.: 41,306

[52] U.S.Cl ..19s/34,s3/159 51 1m. 01 ..B65g47/26 5s FieldofSearch ..198/34,35,40;93/93DP;

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,828 8/1964 Hawley ..198/34 1,676,939 7/1928 Beveridge 198/35 UX Primary E.\'aminer-Edward A. Sroka Atiorney-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz [57] ABSTRACT Envelope-type packages are detached from a packaging machine and deposited in overlapped relation in longitudinally distinct groups each containing the same number of packages on a continuously moving conveyor belt. Group, separation is accomplished by periodic cam actuated displacement of the conveyor belt so that a package deposited upon the belt after a group of a predetermined number have been deposited in overlap will lie on the belt in definite spacial rela tion to that group and will be the leading package of the next group. The cam speed may be varied to select the number of packages in a group.

18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figum PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG. 2

INVEN'I'OR.

DAV/D CLA/VCY WM/ M.

W'z/ 9 M,

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 INVENTOR.

v DA V/D CLA/VCY WWW A TTORNE Y5 PATENTEBMAY 9 I972 SHEET 3 [1F 3 INVENTOR. 0A v/o cLA/vc'r ATTORNEYS PACKAGING APPARATUS This invention relates to packaging apparatus and particularly to a system and apparatus for facilitating and speeding up the packing of a predetermined number of envelope-type packages in a carton.

In its preferred embodiment the invention will be described as incorporated with an automatic packaging machine of the type disclosed in Clancy U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,099 wherein moist towelettes are enclosed and heat sealed within envelope-type packages.

It has been the practice in machines of this type to detach the finished packages and lay them in successive overlap upon a moving conveyor. An attendant is stationed at the conveyor to pick up a predetermined number of packages in a group and insert the group bodily into a carton.

For example for one known type of product, known as Wash n Dri, 22 single envelope packages are stored in a certain size carton, the attendant scooping up a group of 11 overlapped packages at a time and inserting two groups into the carton. While an attendant develops considerable skill and speed, there is always the chance of miscounting with corresponding lessening of efficiency and lower carton packaging speed.

The present invention solves the foregoing problem by automatically depositing the packages in distinctive separate overlap groups, each containing a desired number of packages. The separation between groups may be effected by providing actual spaces between successive groups or it may comprise a smaller overlap between the trailing package of one group and the leading package of the next group. This not only insures against counting error but it also reduces strain on the attendant whose carton packing output is greatly increased, and this is the major object ofthe invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement for depositing distinct groups of packages along a moving conveyor wherein means is provided for selecting the number of packages deposited in each group.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel arrangement for depositing upon a moving conveyor belt distinctive separate groups of overlapped envelope-type packages, wherein the conveyor belt is automatically displaced periodically in timed relation with deposit of the packages for effecting the group separation. Further objects include specific mechanism for carrying out the foregoing as will appear in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing an end section of a packaging machine to which a preferred embodiment of the invention is applied:

FIG. 2 is an end view showing an arrangement for taking completed packages from the machine and laying them in overlapped relation on a conveyor belt;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the conveyor belt and the associated controls;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary plan view showing a mode of separating successive groups;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the cam control for periodically shifting the conveyor belt support;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 3 showing further detail of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a change speed drive for the cam which provides for selecting the number of packages in each separate group on the conveyor; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing a cam connected to the platform by motion amplification mechanism.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, packages 11 resiliently held in longitudinally spaced clips 12 on a continuously moving endless chain conveyor 13 move in a generally horizontal path toward an end of a packaging machine l4.

The machine 14 may be for example that disclosed in said Clancy U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,099 wherein moist towelettes are sealably enclosed in moisture proof envelopes, the completed package 11 being delivered at the rear of the machine as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, an open top package 11 into which the desired contents have been inserted passes through a heat sealing closing station 15 and then each closed complete package 11 is picked off the chain in succession and deposited upon the horizontal fiat top surface of a moving conveyor such as the endless belt 16. The mechanism for taking package 11 off the chain and depositing it on the belt is indicated at 17 in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIG. 2.

Belt 16 is supported between two parallel axis pulleys rotatably mounted on a platform structure 18, the top surface 19 of the platform being recessed at 21 to accommodate the horizontal top flight 22 of the belt. The forward pulley 23 is mounted on a horizontal axis drive shaft 24, and the rear pulley (not shown) is mounted on an idler shaft on the platform just below recess 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, each package 11 is vertically disposed when it arrives at the pick-off station opposite mechanism 17, and it is horizontally disposed when it is being deposited upon belt 16.

A suitable mechanism is illustrated at 17 for accomplishing this transfer. A suction cup head 31 is mounted on the end of a transfer arm 32 that is intermediately pivoted at 33 on an actuating drive lever 34 which in turn is rockable about a fixed axis pivot 35 on the machine. The other end of arm 32 is pivotally connected at 36 to a link 37 which in turn is pivotally mounted on a normally stationary axis pivot pin 38. Pivot pin 38 is selectively adjustably mounted along a slot 39 in a plate support 41 rigid with the machine frame, for varying the efiective path of suction head 31 when the mechanism is actuated. A flexible conduit 42 connects suction head 31 with a source of vacuum 43 through a valve 44 that is opened and closed as by a timer motor unit 45 in synchronism with the movement of transfer arm 32.

During operation, drive lever 34 is oscillated back and forth about pivot 35 between the full and dotted line positions shown in FIG. 2. This cyclically imparts the necessary compound swinging movement of transfer arm 32 to periodically position suction head 31 at the transfer station where it grips a package 11 with sufficient strength to detach it from chain clip 12, and then position suction head 31 directly above the top surface of belt 16. The timing of valve 44 is such that the valve is open to energize suction head 31 at least during the period when it arrives at the transfer station and is returning to the dotted line position above the belt, at which time the valve is closed to release package 11 and allow it to drop toward and onto the belt. The action of transfer arm 32 is cyclical and it deposits a package 11 upon the belt 18 at the end of each transfer unit of time.

Preferably pivot 35 may comprise a rotatably mounted shaft fixed on the lower end of lever 34 connected to a suitable motorized motion producing assembly 46 capable of oscillating shaft 35 periodically about its axis through the angle indicated at A in FIG. 2. The oscillation of shaft 35 is correlated in timed relation to the arrival of each successive package 11 at the transfer station and the actuation of valve 44, so that suction head 31 engages and detaches a package at the transfer station, transfers it to the belt 16 and then returns to the transfer station at the time the next package 11 has arrived at the transfer station. Packages 11 are deposited upon belt 16 at equal time intervals.

The linear speed of the top flight of belt 16 which is continuously moving from left to right in FIGS. 1 and 3 is so correlated with the period of oscillation of transfer arm 32 that each successive package 11 is deposited on belt 16 in evenly overlapped relation to the preceding package. As explained above, it has been the practice to station an operator alongside platform 18 to manually transfer packages from the belt to a carton.

The invention comprises an automatic arrangement whereby the deposited overlapped packages are arranged in distinct longitudinally separate groups, for example each of eleven packages, along the top flight of belt 16.

Platform 18, see FIG. 5, is mounted for reciprocation in a horizontal path, as by depending bosses 47 slidably surrounding longitudinal guide rods 48 rigid with a support frame 49. Reciprocation of the platform is accomplished and controlled by a cam 51 continuously rotated about a vertical axis and a follower lever 52 having at one end a roller 53 disposed in cam track 54 and at the other end a pivotal connection 55 on the platform as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown, cam track 54 has an abrupt substantially radial reentrant portion 56 and the remainder of its surface is a substantially 360 gradual rise from the inner end of portion 56 to its outer end. When roller 53 reaches the reentrant portion, this permits or causes lever 52 and platform 18 to rapidly shift a predetennined distance such as indicated at t to the right from the dotted to full line position in FIG. 4. As roller 53 passes onto and along the gradual rise section of the cam track the platform will move gradually back to the left to the initial dotted line position of FIG. 4. The platform displacement to the right is preferably aided and insured by a tension spring 700 connected between the platform and a toothed anchor 71 as shown in FIG. 5. The spring tension may be adjusted by selecting a suitable anchor tooth, for varying package group spacing as will appear.

As shown in FIG. 3, a continuously driven shaft 50 on the machine is connected by sprocket and chain means 57 to a shaft 58 that at one end enters a speed change mechanism 70 (FIG. 6).,The output shaft 74 of mechanism 70 is connected to a gear reduction box 59 (FIG. to continuously rotate vertical shaft 61 carrying cam 51. At its other end shaft 58 is connected through suitable bevel gearing at 62, shaft 63, bevel gearing at 64, shaft 65 and bevel gearing at 66 to continuously rotate pulley shaft 24.

Since the pulley drive must move along with platform 18, shaft 65 is made up of relatively longitudinally slidable sections 67 and 68 slidably connected by a splined drive coupling unit 69. Shaft section 67 is rotatably but fixed against longitudinal displacement on the machine, and rotatable shaft section 68 is axially fixed relative to platform 18. Thus when platform 18 is moved in either direction the drive to pulley 23 is maintained, shaft 65 merely changing in length without interrupting the drive to pulley 23.

In operation, each rearward displacement of platform 18 is timed, by cam 51, to take place after a predetermined number, such as l 1, packages 11 are deposited in overlapped relation in a group 60 along moving belt 16. At that time, roller 53 drops quickly into the low point of the cam and the platform 18 is rapidly displaced to the right in FIG. 3 the predetermined distance I which is at least long enough to interrupt normal package overlap. Preferably platform 18 is thus shifted in the direction of movement of the upper flight of belt 16 during a period when suction head 31 is moving to pick up a fresh package from chain 13, and this movement of the platform is preferably completed before the suction head returns to belt 16. All movements are so correlated that the trailing package of each group 60 on belt 16 is effectively separated from the leading package of the next group 60 on the belt by a distinct distance indicated at t.

Now the carton filling attendant need not count packages but may pick up each overlapped group 60 secured in.the knowledge that each contains the correct number of packages.

FIG. 6 shows in more detail a speed change mechanism 70 for selecting a desired speed of rotation of cam 51. In the invention each package 11 is deposited upon belt 16 at equally spaced time intervals normally providing the desired package overlap in each group 60. Input shaft 58 carries a series of gears, here three gears 71, 72 and 73 of progressively smaller size, and output shaft 74 carries three associated gears 75, 76 and 77 of progressively increasing size. An idler gear 78 may be disposed between any pair of associated gears to read 71 and 75, or 72 and 76, or 73 and 77 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus in the illustrated embodiment three different output speeds of shaft 74 may be selected by shifting idler gear 78. This results in a selected speed for cam 51, and this changes the timing with which the platform 18 is displaced by the spring. If the speed of cam 51 is increased, the platform will be displaced to the right at shorter intervals and so there will be fewer packages in each group 60. Thus the gear pairs on shafts 58 and 74 may be selectively associated in the drive to provide a desired number of packages in a group on belt 16.

The foregoing mode of selection of package group sizes does not change the synchronism of all of the other parts of the packaging machine, so that it may be applied to existing machines. It is within the scope of the invention to accomplish group spacing by providing for periodic increases in linear belt speed but, the foregoing displacement of the support is preferable because it always remains correlated with the synchronized package forming operations of the main machine.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement for increasing the amount of displacement of platform 18 to the right in which cam follower lever 52 is pivotally connected at 81 to the shorter arm 82 of a two arm lever 83 rotatable about a fixed pivot at 84. The longer lever arm 85 is slidably pivoted at 86 to 3 lug 87 rigid with platform 18.

It will be seen that by proportioning the lengths of the short and long lever arms a desired increased longitudinal displacement of the platform which is a known multiple of the depth of cam portion 56 may be obtained.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferable to provide a pair of stationary parallel guide lips 91 and 92 above the belt 18 near where the packages are deposited. These lips are spaced apart a distance just greater than the width of a package and they may be the upturned ends of sheet metal plates secured as by screws to the top of the platform at opposite sides of the belt recess. These lips insure against undesirable relative lateral shift of the packages.

FIGS. 3 and 3A show two modes of separating the package groups. In FIG. 3 a clear space is shown between each group 60. This may be used usually where the packages are single envelopes or of relatively small dimensions. FIG. 3A shows an arrangement wherein the package at the trailing end of each group may be slightly overlapped by the package at the leading end of the succeeding group. This may be used for longer or dual envelope packages.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Packaging apparatus comprising a platform structure, means defining a conveyor surface moving at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction on said platform structure, means for depositing a series of packages upon said surface at substantially equal time intervals in successive overlapped relation, and means for periodically relatively displacing said platform structure and conveyor surface relative to said package depositing means for providing effective separation of the deposited overlapped packages longitudinally along the conveyor surface into distinct groups each containing the same predetermined number of packages.

2. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is provided for disposing complete packages at a transfer station at equal time intervals, and said means for depositing said packages upon the conveyor surface comprises cyclically operating means for detaching the successive packages arriving at the transfer station and moving them in succession to the conveyor surface.

3. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said package depositing means is arranged to cyclically move in a substantially defined path, and means is provided for periodically displacing said conveyor surface a predetermined distance in said direction at a speed that is greater than said predetermined speed to effect said group separation, said conveyor surface being gradually returned said predetermined distance while the packages of a group are being deposited in normal overlap.

4. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is providing for varying the number of packages deposited in each group.

5. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said groups are separated by spaces between them along the conveyor surface.

6. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the separation of said groups is defined by a longitudinal overlap of the leading and trailing packages of successive groups that is less than the individual package overlap in the groups.

7. Packaging apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt assembly having a substantially horizontal top flight moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, transfer means for depositing packages at equal time intervals for successive overlap upon said top flight, means supporting said belt assembly, and means for separating the deposited packages into longitudinally distinct groups along said top flight comprising means for periodically relatively rapidly displacing said support means a predetermined distance in said direction from an initial position.

8. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein means is provided for gradually returning said support means to initial position during deposit of the packages of a group.

9. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said return means for the support means comprises spring means energized by the rapid displacement of said support means.

10. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for displacing said support means with respect to said initial position comprises cam means operatively connected to said support means.

11. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 9, comprising means for selectively changing the intervals between displacements by said cam means for selecting a desired number of packages in a deposited group.

12. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam and said speed change means comprises a variable speed gearing drive for the cam.

13. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam having a substantially 360 gradual rise surface between substantially radially aligned low and high regions and wherein a motion transmitting linkage connecting it to the support means comprises a follower lever engaging the cam surface.

14. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a motion amplifying linkage.

15. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said transfer means is actuated in timed relation to the speed of said belt assemblies, and said support displacing means is operated in synchronism with said transfer means.

16. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transfer means comprises a suction head and means for energizing said head while it is at a transfer station where it picks up a package and deenergizing said head when it has positioned the package at said belt assembly.

17. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said support is a slidably mounted platform carrying a drive pulley for said conveyor belt assembly and means is provided for preventing interruption to drive of said belt assembly during displacement of said support comprising an extensible drive connection for said pulley.

18. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, comprising stationary parallel side guides disposed above said top flight of the belt assembly and located adjacent the region of deposit of the packages upon said belt assembly by said transfer means.

=1: a t a UN TED STA'lES PATEN'I OFFICE Q CERTI FICA-TE O78- -COEU1ECTION Patent No. 3I661I242 I Dated Ma Inventor(s) David Clancy It is certified that: error appears in the 'above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 11, line 1, change "9" to --lO Signed and sealed this 12th day of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M'.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 i 0.5. GOVERNMENI YRINIING ornc: Iss9 o-:as-:s4

FORM PO-105O (10-69) 

1. Packaging apparatus comprising a platform structure, means defining a conveyor surface moving at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction on said platform structure, means for depositing a series of packages upon said surface at substantially equal time intervals in successive overlapped relation, and means for periodically relatively displacing said platform structure and conveyor surface relative to said package depositing means for providing effective separation of the deposited overlapped packages longitudinally along the conveyor surface into distinct groups each containing the same predetermined number of packages.
 2. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is provided for disposing complete packages at a transfer station at equal time intervals, and said means for depositing said packages upon the conveyor surface comprises cyclically operating means for detaching the successive packages arriving at the transfer station and moving them in succession to the conveyor surface.
 3. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said package depositing means is arranged to cyclically move in a substantially defined path, and means is provided for periodically displacing said conveyor surface a predetermined distance in said direction at a speed that is greater than said predetermined speed to effect said group separation, said conveyor surface being gradually returned said predetermined distance while the packages of a group are being deposited in normal overlap.
 4. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is providing for varying the number of packages deposited in each group.
 5. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said groups are separated by spaces between them along the conveyor surface.
 6. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the separation of said groups is defined by a longitudinal overlap of the leading and trailing packages of successive groups that is less than the individual package overlap in the groups.
 7. Packaging apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt assembly having a substantially horizontal top flight moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, transfer means for depositing packages at equal time intervals for successive overlap upon said top flight, means supporting said belt assembly, and means for separating the deposited packages into longitudinally distinct groups along said top flight comprising means for periodically relatively rapidly displacing said support means a predetermined distance in said direction from an initial position.
 8. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein means is provided for gradually returning said support means to initial position during deposit of the packages of a group.
 9. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said return means for the support means comprises spring means energized by the rapid displacement of said support means.
 10. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for displacing said support means with respect to said initial position comprises cam means operatively connected to said support means.
 11. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 9, comprising means for selectively changing the intervals between displacements by said cam means for selecting a desired number of packages in a deposited group.
 12. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam and said speed change means comprises a variable speed gearing drive for the cam.
 13. Packaging apparatus as defined in claIm 10, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam having a substantially 360* gradual rise surface between substantially radially aligned low and high regions and wherein a motion transmitting linkage connecting it to the support means comprises a follower lever engaging the cam surface.
 14. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a motion amplifying linkage.
 15. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said transfer means is actuated in timed relation to the speed of said belt assemblies, and said support displacing means is operated in synchronism with said transfer means.
 16. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transfer means comprises a suction head and means for energizing said head while it is at a transfer station where it picks up a package and deenergizing said head when it has positioned the package at said belt assembly.
 17. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said support is a slidably mounted platform carrying a drive pulley for said conveyor belt assembly and means is provided for preventing interruption to drive of said belt assembly during displacement of said support comprising an extensible drive connection for said pulley.
 18. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, comprising stationary parallel side guides disposed above said top flight of the belt assembly and located adjacent the region of deposit of the packages upon said belt assembly by said transfer means. 